Q: Dear Sir, Good day. I had a credit card with a bank in the past in 2016 and my credit limit was AED 7500. I lost my job so I was not able to pay this amount at that time. The bank filed a criminal case against me and I went to jail for one month in 2016. Now, the bank called me again and asked about the payment, but I'm still not able to pay. The recovery agent told me they are filing a civil case against me and they're asking me to pay AED 29000. How is it possible as my card limit is 7500 only and that time the bank filed a case against me for AED 10000? What should I do in this case? Please assist me

Q: Hello. I owe a bank here in the UAE a credit card debt amount. Due to circumstances (losing my main source of income, having other financial burdens, including monthly medical bills for cancer treatment & medications etc., and  I don't have health insurance), I haven't been able to pay back on time since over a year ago. Hence, that amount has since accumulated from a small figure to a relatively big one (currently at around AED 70,000). I have received an email recently from some "credit collection" agency, saying that if I don't pay back next month, they'll put a travel ban on me and file a civil case. However, it is impossible for me to pay this amount at this time. I am currently making "some" income (not as close as I used to before, but still), and have the intention to resolve this issue. Is there any way to reach a settlement with the bank (maybe to waive part of the amount or the interest), break down the monthly installments to smaller amounts, or any other solution you would suggest? Many thanks.

Q: Hi, I have just found out I have a police case filed by my bank on a credit card payment. I have a credit card with 25k limit and could not do minimum payments for 1 year (due to job loss), nevertheless, the bank filed a case against me for 190k. I do not understand on what ground and would like to know what to do. As well, how can I find out if I have a travel ban as I would rather try and solve the situation remotely from home than be concerned that I will be jailed here? Your advice is appreciated.

The management of individual financial affairs is crucial and all the actions must be weighed down while committing to any financial liability. Whether it's job loss that may have lead to financial failure or the opposite, one must be aware of the personal liability which will not diminish by paying fines for cheque bounce cases. There are two major types of liabilities, criminal liability and civil liability. Each has its own significance, hence, must be dealt with accordingly.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.